England second row Steve Borthwick has a simple message for any of his team-mates who are pleading for a chance to rest their aching, weary bodies - don't bother turning up tomorrow.

The 21-year-old Bath player will win only his second cap when he runs out against Canada at Markham. Yet, as one of only two members of tomorrow's starting line-up who began England's Six Nations clash with France in April, Borthwick is almost afforded veteran status.

Having been around the fringes of the England squad for 12 months, the Carlisle-born giant knows the requirements of duty on the opening weekend of a three-Test tour.

And despite the rigours of a season which started at the beginning of September and wound its way through league, cup, European and representative combat, he has no time for anyone who suggests this is a trip too far.

"It has been a long year but these are England Test matches," he said. "You are playing for your country and that is special. If you can't raise yourself for this you shouldn't be here."

Borthwick impressed on the England tour to South Africa 12 months ago and was finally given his chance alongside Martin Johnson against the French. But with Johnson leading the Lions, he will have another Leicester second-row alongside him in debutant Ben Kay.

And in a side which musters barely 100 caps between them, the youthful duo will need to coax each other along in what could prove to be one of the most vital areas of the contest. Despite the presence of Stade Francais scrum-half Morgan Williams and Leicester flyer Winston Stanley, Canada's strength lies in their forwards.

Confrontation is almost inevitable, especially considering the home side had three players sin-binned and number eight Ryan Banks dismissed during last week's 20-6 defeat by Argentina. With an array of raw talent waiting to be unleashed behind the forwards, Borthwick is all too aware of the need of the pack to perform, provide clean possession - and stay within the rules.

"We are expecting a pretty tough game but we have to keep our discipline," he said. "You don't win international matches by giving away penalties and it is vital to remain focused. Canada are one of the most physical sides in the game and we have to match them. We have so many exciting backs in our side but they cannot perform unless we give them the possession they need."

England will be reliant on veterans such as skipper Kyran Bracken and Leicester duo Martin Corry and Graham Rowntree to guide a side containing five new faces.

A shock selection at inside centre, Jamie Noon's defensive strengths can be relied upon and once the ball moves out to Leon Lloyd, Josh Lewsey and Paul Sampson, containment may be a difficult option for the Canadian side. It puts even more emphasis on the home pack to spoil English possession, with Williams attempting to disrupt Bracken's usually expert distribution from the ruck areas.

The onus will then be on Cardiff flanker Dan Baugh to demolish the confidence of England fly-half Dave Walder, whose decision-making needs to be quick and precise. Walder has occasionally stepped out of the shadow of Jonny Wilkinson and excelled at Newcastle but can ill-afford momentary lapses which sometimes creep into his game. Neither can there be any repeat of the mindset which left him overawed in the opening stages of the Barbarians encounter last Sunday, when fundamental errors allowed England's opponents to build a winning lead.

But Borthwick believes that having finished strongly against a side containing 536 international caps, England have nothing to fear tomorrow. "As soon as the Barbarians game was over, we looked at how we could put that performance right. We have discussed how the Canadian team are going to perform but we must concentrate on our approach and what we intend to do. There were mistakes on Sunday but that will always happen against a team like that Barbarians side. We have to look at the positives - and there were plenty. We have worked hard preparing for this tour and we are learning as we go. But we are moving forward and hopefully that will show tomorrow."